Actor and Ex-Partner Settle Dispute

The actor Steven Seagal and his former business partner, Julius R. Nasso, have agreed to settle a long-running legal battle, a lawyer and a spokeswoman said on Wednesday. The two had worked together for years, producing movies including “Marked for Death,” “Out for Justice” and “On Deadly Ground.” In 2002, Mr. Nasso sued Mr. Seagal for $60 million, accusing the actor of backing out of a four-movie deal. A few months later, Mr. Nasso was indicted on charges of conspiring with gangsters to shake down Mr. Seagal, and he served one year in federal prison. In the recent out-of-court settlement, Mr. Nasso agreed to drop the suit and Mr. Seagal agreed to pay Mr. Nasso an undisclosed amount of money and write a letter supporting his application for a pardon, Mr. Nasso’s lawyer Robert Hantman said. Neither Mr. Seagal nor his lawyer could be reached for comment Wednesday evening.